Greetings, Sierra Club Ohio.
This month’s newsletter demonstrates Sierra Club Ohio’s continued commitment to the environment and to all that enjoy it.
We are highlighting our work to demand action on authorities in utilities, asking for your support in spreading petitions to the US EPA, and sharing upcoming activities where you can get involved.
We wish to give a special thank you to our members, volunteers, contributors, donors, and funders who support our work and who are engaged with us in protecting our environment. Please share our news and encourage others to join us!
All the best,
Ericka Copeland
State Director, Sierra Club Ohio
ericka.copeland@sierraclub.org |
|
Join Sierra Club in partnership with A-Z Impacts of Plastics and Petrochemicals for a webinar highlighting the impact climate crises have on persons living with disabilities on May 18th at 7pm EST.
People living with disabilities are impacted far worse by climate change and often ignored and left out of the climate conversation. This talk will focus on the disproportionate impact that climate change has on individuals living with a disability as well as the exclusion from the climate movement when decisions are made and what we can do about it. |
|
|
|
|
|
Get Involved in the Campaign for Utility Justice
|
|
|
Utility companies in Ohio are raising prices while reaping profits and polluting our environment. Ratepayers are coming together across Ohio to take collective action against corrupt and inequitable utility practices.
Due to high energy costs, AEP Ohio's bills are going up 28% June 1. AEP is asking for an additional 5% rate hike to begin in 2024, and go up 2% more each year until 2030. AEP needs to share the burden and not just pass it along to hard hit Ohio ratepayers.
The Public Utilities Commission is holding hearings on AEP's rate increase, including a virtual hearing on May 9th. |
|
|
|
Help Ohioans Regain the Tool to Stop Air Pollution
Sierra Club and other groups are working to get Ohio’s Air Nuisance Rule back in place! Sign our petition to US EPA and join us in sharing this online petition link to tell US EPA that communities need this tool, especially environmental justice communities.
Help support and raise the voice of Ohio communities dealing with almost daily deposits of soot on their homes and vehicles, chemical odors, excessive noise and increased health risks. These corporations can do better!
If you can, also help circulate paper petitions in affected communities near you. Download our petition (prints on 8 ½ x 14 paper) and send the petitions to 816 Van Nes Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246. If you need talking points or help, email marilynmwall@gmail.com. |
|
| Picture: Massive black cloud from Suncoke spreading over the Middletown community |
|
|
|
|
A Time of Transformation
The Environmental and Social Justice Committee is excited about the upcoming months. Sierra Club Ohio is embarking on two major initiatives, Strategic Planning and the Cultural Transformation Initiative. In the next month or so, the ESJ Committee will be exploring ways to connect Sierra Club Ohio members. Please stay tuned for some events that will offer opportunities to learn more about both of these initiatives and events that will allow us to connect on a deeper level as Sierra Club members. We can't wait to connect!
- The Sierra Club ESJ Committee |
Volunteer Needs and Updates
|
|
|
Here are our current open volunteer positions:
Marketing Cloud Email Developer: Keep our members and public up to date on our efforts and activities. Develop regular statewide and targeted email sends through a database called Marketing Cloud. You will get full training support for this position.
Treasurer Volunteer Position:
We are looking for a volunteer to fill this crucial role of helping us maintain Sierra Club Ohio’s financial management systems. The Treasurer's role is to manage and oversee the integrity and accuracy of our financial management processes and procedures. |
|
|
|
Challenging Coal Plant Bailouts in Ohio
|
| Ohio Beyond Coal had a great action on April 5th at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Over 30 people showed up, and we held a press conference calling on the PUCO to take auction on audits of the coal plant bailouts, which are part of the corrupt HB6 legislation. Just two days after the action, the PUCO responded to one of our demands to move an audit case forward (the case had been stalled since December 2021). Read more about this action and the coverage of it at the link below: |
|
Thank you!
Thank you for all you do for the environment in Ohio. We look forward to hearing from you and connecting on all of our rebuilding activities. Hoping that you and your loved ones are well and safe.
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
